Players were adamant in their support of Leonhard to earn the full-time coaching job during his stint as the interim coach because of his relatability and his coaching acumen. Wisconsin’s defenses under Leonhard have ranked first in the FBS in total defense, third in run defense and fifth in scoring defense. Leonhard was hired by Chryst as Wisconsin’s defensive backs coach in 2016 and was promoted to defensive coordinator one season later.

The Athletic reported last week that Cincinnati staffers Mike Tressel (defensive coordinator and linebackers coach), Colin Hitschler (safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator), Mike Brown (wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator) are expected to follow Fickell to Wisconsin, along with Brady Collins (strength and conditioning coordinator), Pat Lambert (director of recruiting) and Max Stienecker (director of recruiting strategy). But we don’t know what that is right now.”įickell, a former Ohio State player and longtime assistant who was the Buckeyes’ interim coach in 2011, spent the past six seasons compiling a 57-18 record at Cincinnati with two top-10 finishes and a College Football Playoff bid in 2021. We’ll continue to talk about what the future looks like. Jim will know what’s best for the program. I think we’re very similar in a lot of ways. He’s a diehard, so there’s a lot of options that are open. “I’m very open to obviously picking his brain for a lot of things. “We had a great conversation,” Fickell said last week. If that doesn’t happen, the calls for Leonhard by Packers fans will only grow.Though Leonhard was viewed by many as having a strong chance to earn the full-time job, Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh said at an introductory news conference last week that Fickell “best positioned our program for long-term success.”įickell also said he was open to keeping Leonhard on staff. Green Bay looks to get back in the win column in Week 12, as they try to stop the Philadelphia Eagles and their offense. This season, Wisconsin’s defense under Leonhard surrendered an average of 20.5 points (25th-best) and 305.4 yards (13th-best) per game, per. The 39-year-old former NFL defensive back has been part of Chryst’s staff for seven seasons and is considered one of the top assistant coaches in the country. This is all contingent if Green Bay opts to move on from Barry. Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who was an All-American at Wisconsin, was named interim coach. It will really be a matter of whether Leonhard will want to head to the Packers or if the team will even be interested in hiring him. 2021, Leonhard informed LaFleur that he planned on staying at the university. Prior to the 2021 league year, head coach Matt LaFleur was trying to pry Leonhard away from the Badgers football program. Leonhard to the Packers wasn’t just talk among the fanbase. In the role, the Badgers went 4-3 under Leonhard. JL might end up as the Packers DC man i can’t lose- Carson November 27, 2022Īfter the Badgers fired Paul Chryst, Leonhard was promoted to head coach on an interim basis for the remainder of the campaign. Make it happen LeFleur- Luke Eagleton 🧀🧀🧀 November 27, 2022 Leonard should be the #Packers DC next year. Does this clear the way for him to become the DC?- Sam Cares November 27, 2022

Interesting to see what happens with Jim Leonhard now. Packers fans, is it time for a new DC?! /IDK5Dg0jRA- IKE Packers Podcast November 27, 2022Ĭleanse the Badgers of Graham Mertz, usher in someone outside of Wisconsin’s “it’s all about the friends we made along the way” philosophy in Luke Fickell and get Jimmy Leonhard the Packers DC job. Packers fans want Wisconsin’s Jim Leonhard to be their new defensive coordinator

With this news, Packers fans let it be known that they want Leonhard. With that, interim head coach and defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard is probably out. The University of Wisconsin football program is reportedly poaching Luke Fickell from Cincinnati to be their new head coach. Specifically, they’ve struggled against the run (135.8 yards per game entering Week 12), although remain one of the best pass defenses in the game (192.5 yards per game).įor Packers fans who wanted Barry gone have pinpointed his replacement. But the defense has been equally disappointing under coordinator Joe Barry. All of the attention is on the offensive side of the ball, whether it’s the wide receivers corps or quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ broken thumb. The Green Bay Packers enter Week 12 with just four wins to their credit. Green Bay Packers fans are looking towards a local name to become the team’s next defensive coordinator.

Jim leonhard wisconsin